I have always thought that I had a healthy attitude to food and weight, though I was aware that luck played a part - I grew up on healthy meals, plenty of exercise and a slim frame. Therefore I didn't need to diet, was happy with my body and was a generally well-adjusted individual.

But then I gained some weight. Not a lot, just 8 or 9 pounds, but it did show. My clothes were tight. At this point I realised that I am only happy with my body when it fits into a (literally) narrow ideal.

So of course I dieted. I made sure to eat all the food groups, plenty of fruit and veg, and exercised every day - very strictly for a month, a bit less strictly for the second month, and by then I had almost lost the weight. I congratulated myself and went back to 'normal' life, albeit with less cake.

I still have not really resolved the issue though. I feel sure (most of the time) that I am concerned more with health than beauty, but I know really that beauty plays more of a role than I would like. But how do I work this out, other than trying to think positively about health and not look in the mirror (or the scales) too much?

Further thoughts on these and other beauty issues can be found at my blog, www.beautifulintheory.co.uk, where discussion is always welcome.